Christmas Markets Series

Everything You Need to Know About St. Gallen Christmas Market

**2024 Edition**

Raclette and gluhwein at St. Gallen, Switzerland

Where

Marktplatz, CH-9000 St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland

St. Gallen Christmas Market

Date

November 28 – December 24, 2024 (some features will last through January 6, 2025)

Hours

Merchandise Stalls

  • Mon-Fri: 11:00am – 7:00pm
  • Sat-Sun: 11:00am – 6:00pm

 

Food Stalls

  • Mon-Sat: 11:00am – 9:00pm
  • Sun: 11:00am – 7:00pm

Pro Tip

Arrive early to explore stalls and enjoy the festive lights before the crowds, and don’t miss tasting raclette for an authentic Swiss treat.

book your stay early

Check out hotels in the area to start planning your holiday adventure

All About St. Gallen Christmas Market

St. Gallen, Switzerland,  aka the “City of Stars” or “Sternenstadt”, due to the 700 stars hanging over the market. It’s a beautiful sight to see.

The St. Gallen Christmas Market is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Abbey of St. Gall. A big, beautiful cathedral, home to the Abbey library – one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful libraries.

There are about 70 stalls stretching from Waaghaus, along the Bohl, and to the Market Square, all selling seasonal decorations, textiles, candles, and wooden toys.

Cobblestone streets of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Must-Try Eats at St. Gallen Christmas Market

Expect high quality food at a Swiss Christmas Market. Everything we tried was delicious and perfectly cooked. There are a lot of similar options as other European Christmas markets, but things tasted more refined. 


  • Raclette: Hot, melty, gooey cheese over boiled potatoes and topped with tangy pickles and pearl onions. It’s delicious and will warm you right up!
  • Cheese: There are stalls selling and sampling a wide variety of local cheeses. Big wheels of cheese, some brightly colored, ranging from bold to soft flavors. 
  • Gluhwein: Strong mulled wine is the perfect thing to get you in the holiday spirit! And don’t forget you can keep the cup!
  • St. Gallen Bratwurst: Everyone has their specialty sausage! This is a white and unsmoked sausage. It is served with a local bread called a Bürli.

 

There are a few stalls inside a small building selling great looking spices, dried meats, and cheeses. Don’t forget to peruse some of the permanent shops in St. Gallen. We left with some of the best chocolate we’ve ever had! There is a wide variety of shopping in the area and plenty of restaurants.

Raclette stand at St. Gallen Christmas Market

What to See at St. Gallen Christmas Market

There is a lot happening at the St. Gallen Market, so make sure you do some research before you come. Check dates and times for events such as concerts, festive parades or Chlausritt, readings, and choir performance. 

The large decorated Christmas tree and stars hanging over the streets can’t be missed.

Walking in to St. Gallen Christmas Market

Where to Park for St. Gallen Christmas Market

There are a a couple of parking garages located right next to the Christmas Market. They are Cityparking Burggraben and Cityparking Brühltor. We parked at Burggraben since it was right along our route into town. It was large and had plenty of parking spots available.

**If you are driving in from another country, be sure to get a vignette for your car to avoid any fines**

Vignette needed for border crossing in Switzerland

Best Places to Stay in St. Gallen

Cobblestone streets of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Is St. Gallen Christmas Market Worth Visiting?

Definitely, yes. The Swiss Christmas Markets are a magical and beautiful place to be during the holidays. The goods being sold were unique and well made, and all of the food was delicious. The people here were very friendly and take great pride in their work. The area is so beautiful, and we can’t wait to come back and explore.

Read about our experience at St. Gallen Christmas Market – CLICK HERE